Scar
The Scarred Man of Ishval who turns from vengeance to redemption.
Scar is a fictional character from Hiromu Arakawa's Fullmetal Alchemist, originally introduced as a villain targeting State Alchemists. Known as the Scarred Man due to a prominent X-shaped scar on his brow, he hails from Ishval, a region whose people were nearly exterminated during a civil war against Amestris. His alias stems from this physical mark, while his birth name remains unknown. Arakawa created Scar to represent the persecution of the Ainu people, viewing him as a complex figure driven by the catastrophes of war rather than simple evil. Initially an antagonist seeking revenge for the death of his comrades and family, he eventually questions his motives and temporarily allies with the Amestrian forces to defeat Father and the Homunculi, but he never formally joins the State military.
- Role
- Antagonist turned Ally
- Affiliation
- Ishvalan Survivor
- Power Source
- Tattooed Arm Alchemy
- Status
- Alive
Lore & Background
Scar's origin is rooted in the Ishvalan Civil War, where a State Alchemist named Solf J. Kimblee critically injured him. After the attack, Scar's brother used alchemy to attach his own biological arm to Scar's body, granting him the ability to use transmutation despite it being a religious taboo for Ishvalans who believe only God can create. This arm allows Scar to decompose matter into individual elements with a touch, obliterating objects rather than rebuilding them. Upon awakening and discovering this arm, he fled—but it was Scar himself, not his brother, who killed Winry Rockbell's parents (though he did not remember it clearly at first, the manga and 2009 anime confirm Scar was the killer). His backstory was inspired by Arakawa's own ancestors conquering Ainu land while having Ainu heritage herself. The character is designed to avoid the label of a common 'evil antagonist,' instead representing a victim of multiple catastrophes who ironically uses the enemy's power to destroy them.
In Their Own Story
Scar first attempts to kill Edward Elric at Eastern Headquarters but escapes an ambush by the military. He later tracks the brothers to a library, where he is found by homunculi and forced to retreat with former lieutenant Yoki and May Chang toward Central City. There, Edward reveals Scar's involvement in Winry's parents' death, which Scar confirms. After being saved by May from the Elrics, he agrees to help her find her panda. Later, Scar finds Dr. Tim Marcoh, a participating State Alchemist who asks for death; Scar spares him after learning the truth of the Ishval Massacre and his brother's research. Captured by the Elrics while traveling north with Winry as a hostage, he eventually joins forces with Edward's group against the corrupted military led by homunculi. During the assault on their base, Scar fights King Bradley. Severely wounded after defeating him, he activates a transmutation circle around the city to stop the homunculi's leader using his brother's notes. General Olivier Mira Armstrong saves his life afterward, and Scar agrees to help rebuild Ishval, deciding to give up his birth name and nickname.
Reader's Guide
Scar begins as a serial killer hunting State Alchemists in revenge for the Ishvalan Civil War but evolves into an ally against the homunculi. His unique power comes from a transmutation arm gifted by his brother, allowing him to deconstruct matter without circles or ground drawings. Key moments include his confrontation with Edward Elric in Eastern Headquarters, his meeting with May Chang and Yoki, and his encounter with Dr. Tim Marcoh where he learns the truth of the massacre. In the manga climax, he defeats King Bradley and activates a city-wide transmutation circle to aid the military's coup against the government. Following this, he is saved by General Olivier Mira Armstrong and chooses to rebuild Ishval rather than continue his vendetta. Arakawa designed him as an easy character to illustrate but one with deep thematic weight regarding religion, war, and redemption.
Did You Know?
- Scar's birth name is unknown; his alias comes from the X-shaped scar on his brow.
- Arakawa created Scar to represent the persecution of the Ainu people, not a conflict between Hokkaido and the Ainu.
- In popularity polls by Monthly Shōnen Gangan, Scar has consistently appeared in the top 20.
- Scar's brother attached his own biological arm to Scar via alchemy after Scar was critically injured by Kimblee, not a prosthetic arm.
- Arakawa stated that Scar is one of her easiest characters to design.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Scar in Fullmetal Alchemist?
He is an Ishvalan survivor known as the Scarred Man due to a large X-shaped mark on his forehead. Originally introduced as a villain seeking revenge against State Alchemists, he later becomes a crucial ally to Edward and Alphonse Elric.
How does Scar's alchemy work?
Unlike standard alchemy, his right arm is tattooed with glyphs that allow him to destroy anything without needing a transmutation circle. This ability lets him dismantle complex objects or people instantly by tracing the design on his skin.
Why did Scar hunt State Alchemists initially?
His quest for vengeance stems from the Ishvalan Civil War, where State Alchemists helped massacre his people and killed his family. He specifically targets those involved in the genocide to avenge the fallen survivors of his homeland.
Does Scar become a hero by the end?
Scar eventually shifts from an antagonist to an ally after realizing that killing individual alchemists cannot undo the past or stop Father's plot. He joins the Elric brothers' fight against the homunculi and works toward redemption for his own violent actions.
What happens to Scar in the finale?
In the series finale, he survives the Promised Day conflict and chooses to travel across Amestris to help rebuild Ishval. His journey concludes with him seeking a future of restoration rather than destruction, leaving his birth name unknown but his legacy changed.
More in Characters & Alchemists
Related in Fullmetal Alchemist
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